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City play host to the world's best

9/ 5/2008

SOME of the world’s best elite athletes with a disability, from swimming, track cycling, wheelchair basketball and athletics have gathered in Manchester for this week’s Paralympic World Cup.

Now in its fourth year, it is the biggest of its kind in history, with close on 400 athletes from 45 different countries using the event to fine tune their preparations ahead of the Paralympic Games in Beijing in September.

A strong list of GB names face stiff competition from a host of top quality international athletes which include a record delegation of more than 60 from Paralympic hosts China.

Swimmer Natalie Jones, athlete Ian Jones, wheelchair basketball player Ann Wild and track cyclist Anthony Kappes will have high hopes of a golden double in Manchester and Beijing.

Natalie Jones said: "The Paralympic World Cup is a great event in the sporting calendar and this year holds even more importance to everyone involved.

"As someone who lives and trains in Manchester, I am thrilled that the city is hosting such a world-class event, and hope the thousands of spectators will be treated to some nail-biting and world record beating competition."

Wheelchair basketball, which started with pool matches on Wednesday, continues the same thrilling format as last year in the Manchester Regional Arena.

Team GB faced some strong competition including a men’s team from the Paralympic silver medallists USA, and in the women’s competition a team from China.

Leading GB player Ann Wild said: "It’s always a great competition and there is the added attraction of having the Chinese team over."

With the track cycling schedule modelled on the World Championships, it means record numbers will come to Manchester for two days of competition.

Top GB track cyclist Anthony Kappes, a local favourite, has enjoyed success in the Paralympic World Cup before and is aiming for a repeat this week.

He said: "It is rare to get the chance to compete on home soil against such top athletes, so I have been preparing for this event for a while.

"I would encourage anyone who hasn’t experienced elite disability sport before to come along to all the venues and support Team GB."

With athletics sure to provide a fitting climax on Sunday, another local athlete, 100 and 400m runner Ian Jones, is looking forward to competition.

The 18-year-old, who is aiming for his first Paralympic Games later this year, said: "I can’t wait for competition to begin in Manchester. Everyone knows that 2008 is all about Beijing, but this week marks the final phase of my preparations towards my first Paralympics."